Papua New Guinea Defence Force Commander Brigadier General Gilbert Toropo, this morning officially opened the 2014 PNGDF Commissioning Course at the Igam Barracks in Lae city.
Two women are among the 54 young men, who will undergo this cadet officers training.
The PNGDF Commissioning course will take a total of 18 weeks to be completed.
These young people will be undergoing training programs in the next 18 months to become officers of the PNG Defence Force.
They will be assessed on all aspects of training, starting with their personal conduct, dressing, academic performance and the practical application of leadership skills and endurance.
Commander Gilbert Toropo says only 16 will be selected to other officer cadet schools in Australia, New Zealand and India, while the rest will be commissioned to become members of the PNG Defence Force.
The government also has plans to grow the PNG Defence Force.
Through the Vision 2050, DSP 2030 and Medium Term Development Plan 2011 to 2015, it wants to grow the force to the strength of 10,000 by year 2030.
However in accordance with the Defence White Paper Policy, the PNGDF is looking at building its force to the strength of 5000 by 2017.
Bilateral Relationships with the Australian and New Zealand Defence Force will also assist in providing instructors for cadet training.
Head of Australian Defence Force Staff, Col Dick Parker says this is all about supporting the objectives outlined in the Defence White Paper, and is part of their government’s commitment to see professionalism in PNGDF.
There will be more young people recruited in the coming months, as part of the government’s move, to downsize the high number of school dropouts every year.
previous post